What Does It Take to Be One of the World’s Best Tour Operators? A few thoughts from a small Vermont company August 5th, 2026 • by Kristin Calkins On Travel & Leisure’s World’s Best Tour Operators List…Again It’s not exactly the Vermont way to boast out loud. Around here, we’re generally taught to keep our heads down, work hard, and let the work speak for itself. So writing an article about why Boundless Journeys was recently named one of Travel + Leisure’s World’s Top 15 Tour Operators feels…well…a little uncomfortable. But every once in a while, it’s okay to clap, high-five and celebrate. Not because an award defines us, but because it recognizes the people, care, and creativity behind every trip. So, just this once, we’ll allow ourselves a little brag. The Boundless Journeys’ crew outside our office on a beautiful spring day. It Starts With People Long before putting your foot in a boot, a boundless journey begins with a phone call, an email, or a conversation about where you’ve traveled, how you like to hike, and where you might go next. Because we’re a small company, we take the time to listen. We’re not simply trying to fill a departure. We want to help you choose the journey that genuinely suits you. Many guests travel with us again and again. We remember their names, favorite destinations, and stories from past trips. Over time, travelers become familiar faces, and part of our wider family. The Right Guide Changes Everything Sonia D, our Patagonia, Argentina guide, is described by our guests as a “spark plug.” We love her energy! Beautiful landscapes are only part of the story. The people who introduce you to them matter just as much. Our local guides don’t simply lead hikes. They carry the keys that open doors most travelers never knew existed. They connect guests with the people who give a destination its character, sharing traditions that bring each region to life. More than experts, Boundless Journeys guides are gracious hosts who take genuine pride in introducing our guests to the places they call home. Where We Stay Matters One of the greatest privileges of our work is returning to the same places year after year. Not because they’re convenient. Because of the people and their hospitality. The innkeeper who greets our guides with a hug. The lodge manager who asks about guests from last season. The family who has welcomed Boundless Journeys travelers for years and now feels like extended family. These kind of relationships take time to build. Our partner hotels create the kind of welcome that no reservation system can promise and no hotel rating can measure. That’s why we seek out places with genuine character—boutique inns, mountain lodges, and family-owned hotels who are delighted to have us as their honored guests. Small Means Creative Vermonters are known for wearing many hats. It’s part of our rural heritage. Whether running a farm, a village store, or a family business, people learn to be resourceful, adaptable, and willing to pitch in. That same spirit shapes Boundless Journeys. And it starts at the top. Around here, good ideas can come from anyone. Because we’re a small team, we’re able to move quickly—exploring new destinations, refining itineraries, discovering remarkable hotels, or creating experiences our guests won’t find anywhere else. Staying small means we are always evolving while staying true to our small town roots. And we think our guests can feel the difference. We’re Still Inspired Hikers toast to a full day’s hike on Mont Blanc. Perhaps the biggest misconception about receiving an award is that you’ve arrived. We see it differently. This recognition challenges us by asking, how can we travel more sustainably? How can we create even deeper connections with local communities? Where are the quieter places that deserve to be experienced with care, and what kinds of journeys leave people inspired and restored? Awards recognize what you’ve already accomplished. Inspiration shapes the future. Thank You Travel & Leisure Readers for this Honor We’re incredibly honored to be named one of Travel + Leisure’s World’s Top 15 Tour Operators for 2026. We blush every time someone mentions it. But then we do what Vermonters do: roll up our sleeves and get back to work. Right now, guests are walking with us on trails around the world. Others are packing their bags or counting down the days until departure. Meanwhile, we’re scouting new routes, meeting local partners, and dreaming up the world’s best hiking trips. And we can’t wait to share it with you.